The police chiefs from Tyrone, Fayetteville and Peachtree City were on hand at the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday January 12, 2010 to receive drug seizure checks from Sheriff Wayne Hannah. Tyrone received $25,104.94 - funds seized by the Fayette County Tactical Narcotics Team while participating in “Project Coronado”, the “Largest Single U.S. Strike Against Mexican Drug Cartels” according to the DEA.
This operation resulted in the arrest of 11 defendants – all of whom are suspected members of the “La Familia” drug cartel – and the seizure of 5 kilograms of cocaine, 2 pounds of methamphetamine in the form of “ice”, over 800 pounds of marijuana, over $1 million in currency, various weapons, and one vehicle in Georgia. Nationwide, the operation resulted in 1,186 arrests and the seizure of over $33 million in currency along with 1,999 kilograms of cocaine, 2,730 pounds of methamphetamine, 29 pounds of heroin, 16,390 pounds of marijuana, various weapons, 269 vehicles, and 2 clandestine labs.
Under a Federal Law established in 1984, the proceeds from seized currency and property may be distributed among participating agencies and used to supplement law enforcement operations. Recipient agencies typically utilize these funds to purchase equipment, vehicles, vests, weapons, computers, and facilities. In 2009, the TPD made use of seized drug funds to purchase a new mobile computer system, reporting software, and to complete renovations on our basement to add new offices and a training room.
View the complete press releases from the U.S. Attorney and the DEA at the following links: